Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker shared their thoughts about the bad experience the Spurs suffered from a season ago, from Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports: “These opportunities are very rare to try to win a championship and go to the Finals,” said Parker, who had 15 points and a game-high 18 assists in Game 2 against the Grizzlies. “We were so close being up 2-0 and having home court. It was disappointing to win 20 games in a row and then lose four in a row. It was unreal, hard to understand. Even today I don’t even know why. It’s hard to explain that. This year we are learning from it and I hope we will handle it better than last year. “It was very painful. It gave me a lot of motivation all summer long.”… “It ain’t over till it’s over,” Ginobili said. “That’s the only thing we learned [from last year]. I think last year we took it the right way. We just faced a team that was inspired and beat us fair and square. That’s it.”
- According to our Mark Heisler, Lionel Hollins is on the top of the wishlist of the Los Angeles Clippers:
Source says Lionel Hollins is No. 1 on #Clippers list w/Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry. Team officials just relieved Sterling gave in, axed VDN.
@MarkHeisler
Mark Heisler
Vinny Del Negro, who won’t be returning as the coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, was surprised to hear of his dismissal, from ESPN.com: “Sterling told Del Negro that he was “optimistic they’d bring him back,” the source said, but there “were some issues with the players” they needed to sort through. “Obviously they couldn’t work through those issues with the players, or, player,” the source said, referring to Clippers guard Chris Paul. Del Negro was surprised when he was informed of the organization’s decision on Tuesday morning, the source said. Team president Andy Roeser thanked him for his service and said the organization would do whatever it could to help him find another job, the source said. A Clippers source told ESPN Los Angeles that the team “really is starting our search for a new coach now,” but they intend to move quickly.”
Dwight Howard is torn about choosing between the Lakers and Houston Rockets, from Sam Amick of USA Today: “Despite all signs pointing to his Lakers return late in the season, the star whose infamous indecisiveness led to his Orlando saga being dubbed “The Dwightmare” is – according to a person with knowledge of his situation – torn between the idea of Laker life or the notion of joining a Houston Rockets club that looks so much more appealing with James Harden & Co. in tow. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of Howard’s process… The Lakers, who hoped Howard’s return would help bridge the gap to a new era that could be kickstarted in the summer of 2014 when they have so much salary cap space and may not have Kobe Bryant, are flirting with quite a fallout here. General manager Mitch Kupchak had already urged Howard to choose quickly in the days after the season ended with a first-round sweep by the San Antonio Spurs, informing Howard that he’d be holding up the team’s business if he waited until the official free agency period in early July to make up his mind.”
- Coach K will return as the head coach of Team USA, according to Pete Thamel of SI: “Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will be returning as the head coach of USA Basketball for the 2016 Olympics, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. A formal announcement is expected in the next 48 hours. Krzyzewski led Team USA to gold medals in both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. He had maintained for months that he would not return before reversing course in an interview with SI.com on Saturday. Krzyzewski, 66, has a 62-1 record with USA Basketball, and his tenure will now be extended to coach in the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Madrid and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Jerry Colangelo did not expect Coach K to return to Team USA, according to Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida: “Jerry Colangelo never believed Coach K wouldn’t come back as Oly coach even when Coach K said on radio he was done: “We haven’t had a conversation,’’ Colangelo told me in February after Coach K went on ESPN Radio and reiterated he wouldn’t return as Olympic coach. “All I’ve heard (about Coach K saying he won’t return) is second hand… Until he and I have a final meeting after this season, then I’ll know one way or another.” In that final meeting, Colangelo was able to lure Coach K back.
Very important stuff in this Blog.
Most significant may be that Phil Jackson is basically giving Dwight Howard his blessing to leave the Lakers (for Houston?). Not something Phil’s fiancee would be happy about, but Dwight should feel good. Dwight will be happier in Houston anyway.
Also, as someone who doesn’t like the Knicks (besides not liking the Lakers), I hope Melo doesn’t find out about Acupuncture treatment, to get his shoulder to heal quicker, and avoid surgery. Dwight Howard was using acupuncture and electric acupuncture on his injuries, and he posted a photo a few months back. Looks like Howard was feeling better at end of season, and never required surgery for his torn labrum.
Thanks for reading, Jerry.